18 members of the Seim voted for leaving her campaign on August 29, Euroradio reported. 11 members voted contra and 2 people abstained. Party leader Alyaksei Yanukevich explained it by the candidate’s vague statements about the Belarusian language, national symbols and Belarus’ world situation.

Her coalition People’s Referendum sticks to two main principles: a responsible neighborhood policy and the development of economic, cultural and educational relations with the EU member states and Ukraine, Karatkevich told Radio Liberty. “We stick to a balanced policy that supports Belarus’ independence and the BPF party has always agreed with it,” the politician added.

Karatkevich and her adherents support the development of the Belarusian language and the white-red-white flag. The politician called the results of the referendum held in 1995 doubtful (the national symbols were changed back then). The results of that referendum should be reconsidered and the corresponding decision should be made afterwards. “Now it is essential to make the white-red-white flag and Pahonya historic symbols,” Karatkevich believes.

The decision made by the BPF party was unexpected, the politician added. Karatkevich had met Yanukevich a few days before it was announced and he had not asked her any serious questions. That is why the decision testifies to the BPF Party’s ‘inconsequent policy’, she thinks.